Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896
May 4, 2025
May 4, 2025 | Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896

Science & Technology




PUBLIC DOMAIN
The study showed that gamers are better at analyzing situations quickly.

Video game players show higher learning abilities

A video game obsession is the bane for many parents who wish their child would focus more on their schoolwork, chores or other responsibilities. Traditionally, video games have been linked to lower productivity levels in adolescents.





PUBLIC DOMAIN
Mosquitoes have been genetically modified to be Plasmodium resistant.

Mosquito gut microbes can eradicate malaria

In a new study at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the University of Maryland School of Medicine, microbiologists genetically modified mosquitoes to be more resistant to Plasmodium, the parasite that causes malaria, by changing the composition of the mosquitoes’ gut bacteria.



PHOTO CREDIT
The CDC attributes the increasing obesity trend to unhealthy eating.

Report shows that one in four Americans are obese

According to a recent report published by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), America’s obesity rate has once again reached an all-time high. The report was published by statisticians last week and demonstrates that nearly four in ten American adults have body mass indexes (BMIs) in the obese range.


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The fungus Fusarium wilt is killing off the Cavendish variety of banana in Australia and Asia.

Most popular banana species may soon be extinct

Can you imagine heading over to a nearby grocery store to pick up some items and being unable to find a banana? Today the banana is one of the most common fruits purchased by consumers. In particular, the Cavendish variety, which is curved and yellow, makes up almost 100 percent of all marketed bananas in the United States.










PUBLIC DOMAIN
EpiPens are one vital drug that have soared in price over the years.

New Maryland statute regulates big Pharma

To those who suffer from allergies, EpiPens, or epinephrine injections, are the difference between life and death. Yet many families without health insurance have to take the risk, because they cannot afford EpiPens, which can set a family back anywhere from $300 to $630 just for a pack of two.


COURTESY OF JOCELYNE DIRUGGIERO
Hopkins professor Jocelyne DiRuggiero spends time researching in extreme climates such as the desert.

Hopkins lab studies archaea in harsh environments

Where there’s a will, there’s a way. For extremophiles, those words aren’t just a mantra but a way of life. Thriving in environments from volcanoes to the frozen Arctic, extremophiles have found a way to adapt to the harshest environments on Earth. Research professor Jocelyne DiRuggiero and her team at Hopkins are studying these extremophiles to learn how they have come to be so versatile.


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